Fused cut-out



Sept. 22, 1931. N. J. CONRAD FUSED GUT-OUT Filed Dec. 2 1, 1926 5Sheets-Sheet 'Sept 22, 1931. N. J. CONRAD Pusan p'r-ou'r Filed D66. 21,1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 22, 1931. N. J. CONRAD 1,824,122

' FUSED CUT-OUT I I u 705 sept. 22, 1931.

N. J. CONRAD 1,824,122

FUSED CUT-OUT Filed Dec. 21, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 tion and repairs.

Patented Sept. 22, 1931 vUNI'TED STATES PATENT OFFICE NICHOLAS J'.CONRAD, OF WILMETTE, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TOySCHWILITZER. & CONRAD, INC., OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION FDELAWARE FUSED CUT-OUT Application led December 21, 1926. Serial No.158,213.

This invention vrelates to cut-outs, and more particularly to a fusedcut-out specially adapted for subway use.

Cut-outs of this character are commonly positioned in manholes andsimilar places which are not infrequently flooded with water. It isessential, for this reason, to enclose the cut-out in such a manner Vasto effectually eliminate all possibility of entry of water when themanhole is Hooded. It is also desirable that means be provided wherebythe oil container or tank can be readily removed to give easy access tothe switch structure and associated parts for inspec- I accomplish theseVery desirable results by the novel construction which l employ.

In cut-outs of this general type with which I amxfal'niliar the switchstructure is more l or less permanently associated with the tank andthere is no means to prevent opening of the tank or container when theswitch is closed. This is objectionable in that the switch cannot bereadily removed for re airs -2 and there is danger to the operator i thetank is open with the switch closed. In the construction which Iemploy,the switch can be removed readily from the tank but such thuspreventing the formation of arcs such as would be produced when openingthe switch by hand. This feature is of great practical importance ascut-outs of this type are used on high tension lines o f 1500 volts andhigher. A further important feature of my invention is the provision ofmeans for preventing closing ofthe switch until after the cover memberhas been completely assembled and secured in position un the tank.

l This serves to protect the operator or lineman installing the'cut-outin event that the fuseshould blow w an the switch is first closed.Further advanw es and objects of my invention will appwfrom the detaileddescription.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a cut-out constructed in accordance withmy invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation;

Fig. 3 is a section taken substantially on line 3 3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a section taken substantially on line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a section taken substantially on line 5 5 of Fig. 1;

F ig. 6 is a section taken substantially on line 6-6 of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 7 is a section taken substantially on line 7 7 of Fig. 4.

My cut-out includes a cylindrical tank 1 of steel or other suitablematerial to which are secured supporting members or legs 2 of channelcross section and extending below the bottom or lower end 3 of the tank.Bottom 3 is rounded or curved downwardly being of concavo-convex crosssection and is provided at its central point with an outlet opening 4which registers with the bore of the nipple 5 having a base liange 6 atits upper end which is secured by welding, or in any other suitable orpreferred manner, to the bottom 3 of the tank. This nipple is normallyclosed by a pipe plug 7 threaded therein. By removing this plug the oilmay be readily drained out of the tank for flushing or cleaning thesame.

A steel ring 8 of angle cross section is secured about the upper endportion of tank 1 by welding, or in any other suitable or preferredmanner. This ring is provided with spaced bosses 9 which are bored andthreaded for reception of suitably spaced cap screws 10 passing througha cover structure 11. These screws serve to removably secure the tank tothe cover in depending relation thereto. The cover structure 1l eX-tends rearwardly of the tank and is shaped to provide a supportingbracket 12 of angle cross section provided with suitably spaced openings13 disposed for reception of hangers by means of which the cut-out canbe supported in the manhole. The cut-out is supported on hangers abovethe fioor of the manhole. rThe legs 2 are provided for supporting thetank when it is removed.

Bracket 12 is connected at each end to the cover 11 by web element 14,the upper portion of this bracket being also connected by intermediateweb elements 15 to a flange 16 extending upwardly from the upper face ofcover 11 and defining a rectangular opening. VThere are two of theseopenings each forming". a.i cont1nuat1on of a. Vlower section 17a of apot-head 17. This lower sectionV depends from cover 11, extendingdownwardly into the upper portion of tank 1. As

will be noted more clearly from Fig. 3, these pot-heads are disposedadjacent the rearward portion 01"' tank 1 and slightly in advance of thebracket 12. Each head y1ncludes an upper section 17?) having arectangular base flange 18 seatinf'w upon flange 16 and secured theretoby screws 19, or in any other suitable or preferred manner. Thisconstruction will be clear from Figs.

1 and 3 of the drawings. Referring more end of each lower section 17a ofthe pot-head to withinpa short distance of the bottom of tank 1. Thistube extends upwardly withy in the pot-head to within a short distance01" the upper end thereof andis secured in position by asealing alloy orcomposition 28 dis- Vposed in the lower pot-head section 17a and tightlysecuring theV tube in the pothead. These tubes vreceive conductors 24,each of which is provided with suitable insulation and a lead sheathing25. This sheath is cut -away from the cable from the lower or'connectionend thereof to within' a short distance of the top ,of the pot-head andis then spread outwardly or flared to yprovide a bell 26 which fitsclosely over and about a restricted neck 27 Vextending from the upperend of the pot-head. This bell is connected to the pot-head by awipedjoint, this joint providing Va water tight closure for Vthe upper end ofthe' pot-head about thepbell 26 and the neck 27. The upper section 17 bof the pot-head thus forms, in etect, va continuation of the sheath 25of the lead sheath 'oi' conductor 24. A suitable packing member orgasket 28 is disposed between flanges 16l and 18 insuring a luid tightclosure between the same. As an additional safeguard, each pot-headabove the Y coniposition or alloy 23 is filled with a suitable cablesealing compound. This etl'ectually eliminates all possibility of entryof Vsions 29a for this purpose.

through members 29 as wellas the crossbars 30. lThe rods 31 also passthrough the end portions of a clamping member or r'yoke 33 which is bentto fit snugly about tubes 22, the rearward faces otbars 30 being alsoshaped or recessed to fit snugly about the forward portions ofk thesetubes. Preferably leather 34 or other suitable material is interposedbetween the tubes 22 and eye of yoke 83 to protect the tube againstbeing broken or cracked. The rods 31 and associated nuts 32 serve tosecure the guide members 29 and the cross-bars 30 together in properrelation and Valso vserve to draw the yoke 33 tightly about the tubes22, thus elfectually securing the frame tothe tubes in such manner as tobe supported thereby with the guide members 29 disposed vertically. Alower cross-bar 36is secured by screws 37 and nuts`38 to the frontvi'aces of the lower ends of guide members 29, these members beingprovided with front extenf Y A rectangular contact plate 39 seats uponthe upper face of bar 36 between the extensions 29a.. This plate has arearwardly extending ringer 40 provided withV an opening receiving thescrew threaded shank `41 of a cast copper terminal member 42 securedupon the lower end of Vconductor 24. TheV other conductor 24 issimilarly connected to contact strip 43 to which is secured one end of asupplemental lead 44 extending through an insulating tube 45 extendingthrough the 'forward'- portions of the cross-bars'SO. The upper end ofthis supplemental lead 44 is threaded and receives a nut 46 forestablishg. ing close contact between the supplemental lead and a crossstrip 47 of copper or other suitable material of high electricalconductivity. This strip isV secured at its ends to Contact strips 48which are secured by screws 49 on the upper faces of shoulders 50 formedby cutting away the upper portion oit each of the guide members 29 for aportion' of its width. This provides a simple and inexpensiveconstruction where` 1 by the switch supporting and guide frame,togetherwith'the line contacts and associated parts, aresupported by theinsulating tubes 22 so as to be entirelyA free from tank 1, thuspermitting ready rem-oval ot the position.

tank when desired. It is also possible, by removing the cover` of thetank, to easily expose the entire switch structure for inspection orrepairs. l

A rectangular switch plate 50 is slidably mounted in uide members 29 forvertical movement. use clips 51 are secured on the front face of thisplate adjacent the top and bottom thereof. These clips include U-shapedmembers 52 and 53, the arms of the member 52 being bent to providespring jaws for contact with a fuse terminal and the arms of member 53 oosing outward movement of these jaws. This clip also includes a wiremember or bail 54 by means of which the jaws are forced toward eachother, this bail actin as a stop member to prevent accidental islacement or withdrawal of the fuse. rThe Vconstruction of the fuse clipsis more fully illustrated and described in detail in my co-pendingapplication filed May 25, 1925, Serial No. 32741. These clips providesim le and efficient means whereby a lsuitable use may be readilymounted on the plate 50.

Switch contact members 55 are engaged by the upper fuse clip and aredisposed 'lo contact with the linev contacts 5() when the switch plateis in lowered or operative position. The contacts 55 are of laminatedconstruction and are bent downwardly and outwardly ofthe fuse plate soas to be placed under tension when the plate is in operative The outerends of the leaves of contacts 55 have rubbing .contact with theconta-ets 50 during closing of the switch, thus insuring clean contactsurfaces, which is desirable in switches of this type. A lower switchcontact 56a is secured to the lower clip and contacts with the lowerline contact or plate 39. This lower switch contac'; is also oflaminated construction and is slotted to provide a plurality of contactfingers 56a which are disposed at an inclination downwardly andforwardly of the switch plate (Figs. 3 and 7 The lower portion of plate50 is slightly reduced in thickness to accommodate the'contact 56 and isprovided at itsl lower end with laterally extending ears 57. Eye rods 58have their lower ends secured to ears 57 and are slidable through screweyes 59 secured in the outer lateral faces of the guide members 29.Tension springs 60 have their lower ends secured through the eyes at theyupper ends of rods 58, the upper ends of these springs being securedthrough screw eyes 6l secured in guides 29. These springs act tonormally hold the switch plate in raised or inoperative position so asto hold the switch contacts out of operative contact with the linecontacts. y The action of the tension springs 60 in moving the switchplate into raised or inoperativeposition is supplemented, at theinitiation of upward movement of the switch plate, by the action of thecontacts 55 and 56 which, as previously noted, are placed under tensionwhen the switch is closed. In this mannera snap action is obtained inopening the switch which serves to prevent, to a large extent, arcingbetween the contacts.

A fuse 62 is mounted on the plate 50' and is securely held in positionby the fuse clips. This fuse may be of any suitable construction, but ispreferably la Schweitzer & Conrad fuse such as that disclosed in mycopending application for fuse devices and the like, filed April 11,1923, Serial No. 631,263. This fuse includes an end cap 63 at the upperend of the fuse, this cap bei secured in the end of the ferrule of theuse by a non-hardening cement so as to be blown out when the fuse blows.In my application referred to, the fuse body or barrel is filled withcarbon-tetrachloride or a similar liquid. In the present instance,however, the fuse body or barrel is filled with oil similar to that withwhich the tank is filled so as to prevent mixing with the oil of adifferent liquid upon blowing of the fuse. A fuse cap retaining member64 is mounted on the plate above and closely adjacent the upper end ofthe fuse. This member is preferably of basket-like construction beingformed of short wooden bars disposed in spaced rela` tion and securedtogether. Two arms 65 extend from the front face of fuse plate 50adjacent the upper end thereof and are connected by a rod 66 upon whichis mounted a-spacing sleeve 67 of insulating material. This sleeve isdisposed adjacent the top of retaining member 64 and serves to preventescape of the fuse cap therefrom. This arrangement insures that, whenthe fuse blows, the cap will be retained in member 64 from which it canbe readily removed by removing the fuse, permitting the cap to drop outof the retaining member. The fuse is thus mounted upon the board orplate therefor in such manner as to be readily replaced and difficultyin recovering Ythe fusecap is avoided so as to facilitate replacement ofthe fuse. This fuse is in series in the circuit. when the switch isclosed, and will blow out when the amount of the current equals orexceeds a predetermined maximum acting as a cutout to prevent injury tothe apparatus connected to the line.

The main cover 11 is provided with an upwardly extending flange 68defining an opening 69 of approximately7 triangular' shape, the rearwardportion of this flange also forming the inner walls of the upperportions of the pot-heads 17. that is, the inner walls of the upperportions of the portions 17a of the pot-heads. This opening is closed bya supplemental cover 70 which seats on the front and back portions ofthe flange 68 and on the upper faces of supplemental flanges 68aextending inwardly from .tra

the side portions' of wallor Hang-e 68. A-

packing gasket 7l is interposed between the .tion ,by-'cap .screws 72and 73.

supplemental cover and/the main cover, and

the supplemental cover is secured in posi- Screws 72 1- plemental. cover70 andthread throughkthe y. supplemental lateral flanges 68a. -Screws73lpassthrough.Y lugs 75 projecting from plate 70 and thread intocorresponding lugs 7 6 #projecting from the outer face of the forwa'rdportion of anger68. Each capscrew l711s provided with a lower 'reducedportion forming ar pin 77 which, when the screw is threaded vinto fulloperative position, cone ta'cts with the shorter outer arm 7 8m of anangleflatch member` 78 rockably mounted on Va pin 7 9v.l between a pairof earsSO depend-V VZ-ing from iiange` 68a. .cured toithe underface offiange 68a and A lea-f spring 8l is sebears against the outeredgel ofthe inner longerV arm 7825 of the latch so as to .urge When the latchmembers are in normal inoperative position, they areY out Vof the pathof movement of the upper, arms of yL-shaped stop 'members 82 secured tothe rearward portions of arms 65, fand Adisposed in vthe 'planerof thelatch members. Vihen thevs'witch is opened and the switchplate is inraised position, the upper arms of members 82 are disposed abovetheupperen-'d 'of arms 7 8b of the latch members Under normalconditions, the latch members are held in inoperative position sothatthe switch'can be closed without interference. ,In'the eventthatrthe supplen mentalcover 70.is removed, as when renewing the'fuse,the latch members are moved inward- 'lyy bythe springs 8l into operativeposition.

`lNiththe switch open, the members 82 will yscrews' 71 into theiri'fulloperative position for. securing the supplemental cover 70.

This feature is of importance as effectually preventing closing of theswitch until such time as the cover 7() is tightly secured in position.Y This effectually eliminates danger of injury to the operator due toblowing ofV the fuse when the switch is 'Erst closed after removal ofthe supplemental cover and before replacement thereof.

Aswitchclosing lever 83 is rprovided for closingthe switch. Thisleverincludes rearwardlyextending arms 84: pivoted by means of a'pintle v85on members 86 extending from a raised portion or rib 87 at the rearwardf portion. of'supplemental cover 70 for reen- 'forcing the same.

Arms 84 are connected adjacent theirrforward endsby a cross piecel88ffrom whichI extend forwardly directed arms 89 coi'inected adjacenttheir outer or forward ends by aA vU-shaped stirrup 90.

These arms are alsoA connected by a rod 91'v and the bight portion ofthe spring being disposed beneath thecross bar 88. Movement of Vthelever construction in switch openingdirection .is limited `by fingers 96extending downwardly and rearwardly from the inner ends of arms 84 anddisposed to `contact lwitha stop element 87a.l of rib 87.

Cross'bar 88 of the switchclosing leverk isdis'posed Yto contact. with aplunger 97 operating through a stuffing box 98,"mount ed` in thesupplemental cover 7 O, as the lever is moved into operative position.vspring vpressed latch 99V is mounted on `the front portion of themaincover structure and is disposed for engagement with the bightportionv a of the U-shaped member Y90 when the lever'is in fulloperative position. This latch memberserves to releasably secure theswitch closing lever in lowered position so as to hold the plunger 97lowered with the head 100 thereof bearingl against sleeve 57 .andholding the switch plate 50 depressed against the action of the springsG0, main-v taining the switch in closed condition. By swinging the latch99 into inoperativeposition the switch closing lever is released and ismoved by, spring 95 into raised orv in rlheflever structure 83 is urgedoperative position. This releases the plung# er 97r which is immediatelyraised bythe upward movement ofswitch'plate 50 under the influence ofthe tension springs 60. This serves to quickly open the switch, as preTvviously described.

Upward movement of plunger 97 is cushioned by coil spring 101 disposedabout the plunger and resting upon head 100 thereof.r Stuffing box 98 isof known construction and I preferably use a water proof packing in thisboX` which serves to exclude water and, at the same time, permits freeoperation of plunger 97. It will be noted that the plate 50 is movedinto and out of switch closing position with a rectie lineal movementwhich I consider advantageous as the room required foroperating theswitch is reduced to `a minimum permitting the use of a relatively smalltank while spacing the "switch contacts and cur,- rent carrying partswell away from the walls of the tank. e i Y As will be noted moreclearly from Figs. l and 2, bight portion 90a ofthestirrup 90 isprovided, adjacent each end, with aforwardly extending lug 102 carryinga depending finger 103. Vhen the switch lever is in operative position,the lower ends of fingers 103are dlsposed closely adjacent the heads ofthe two central cap screws 10 which secure the cover to the flange ofring S. It will also be noted that bight element 90a is disposed aboveand closely adjacent the heads of the cap screws 7 3 securing theforward portion of thevsupplemental cover to the main cover structure.This renders it impossible to remove either the main cover or thesupplemental cover so long as'the switch closing lever is depressed orin operative position.r In. order to remove either of the covers, it `isnecessary to release the switchclosing lever, thus permitt-inor openingof the switch. In this manner insure that the switch will be openedbefore either the cover structureor the tank canV be removed, thusavoiding the danger of disassembling the cut-out structure with theswitch closed. This arrangement, in conjunction with the meanspreviously described for preventing closing of the switch until afterthe cover structure is tightly secured in position, effectuallyeliminates danger to the operator due to neglect or carelessness wheninstalling the cut-out. n

The main cover 11 is further provided, at each side thereof, with ahorizontally disposed enlargement or boss 105 .which communicates withthel space defined by flange (38 and, therefore, with the interior oftank 1. Each of these bosses 105 is interiorly threaded, one boss beingclosedby a pipe plug 106 and the other boss receiving a pipe 107threaded thereinto. This pipe is connected by piping associatedtherewith to an air bell positioned adjacent the floor of the manhole.In practice the piping is led upwardly from the cut-out toward the roofof the manhole, being then led downwardly toward the floor with the bellapplied to the lowerl end of the piping. This provides a suitable ventto permit escape of gases from the tank in the event that the fuse blowsout, and also serves to effectually 'prevent the entry of water into/thetank in case the manhole is Hooded, the air trapped in the bell andpiping extending therefrom being compressed as the ywater rises withinthe piping and serving to prevent the water from rising within thepipingv to such a height as to enter tank 1.

While I have illustrated the leads 24 as applied to the cutsout, it willbe understood that these leads may be applied in the field. Underordinary conditions, however, I pre,- fer to have the leads applied asillustrated in the shop or warehouse, leaving a sulicient length ofcable beyond the pot-heads to enable the leads to be readilyronnected tothe line when installing the cut-out. This is Y desirable as avoidingany necessity for opening or in any way disassembling the cut-out and itgreatly facilitates installing of the cut-out.

To protect the connections between the contacts and the lower ends ofthe lead-ins, l preferably provide a wooden barrier or guard plate 108which is suspended from the lower cross bar 30 by hangers 109, thisplate being disposed closely adjacent the lower ends of the lead-ins.This plate 108 serves to guard against accidental contact with liveparts when the tank is removed or replaced. The tank 1 preferably has apress board lining 110 which likewise guards the sides of the tankagainst any accidental Contact with live parts. This lining ispreferably a loose cylindrical sleeve.

1. In a cut-cut of the character described, an oil tank, line contactswithin the tank, a fuse structure mounted for rectilineal movement intooperative relation to the contact, spring means for moving the structureout of operative relation to the contact with a snap action, and meanscontrolled exteriorily of the tank for moving the fuse structure intooperative position while the tank remains closed and for retaining it insuch position against the action of the spring means.

2. In a cut-out of the character described, an oil tank, a supportingand guide frame within the tank, a fuse plate slidabl mounted in theframe, a fuse 'mountet on t-he plate, line contacts within the tank,means connecting the fuse in series with said contact-s when the fuseplate is moved in one direction into operative position, means urgingthe fuse plate in the other direction into inoperative position, andmeans operable exteriorly of the tank for moving the fuse plate intooperative position and releasably securing it in such position.

3. In a cut-out of thecharacter described, an oil tank, line contactswithin the tank, a fuse plate slidably mounted within the tank, a fuseand fuse Contacts carried by the plate, the line contacts being disposedin the path of movement of the fuse contacts with the plate, meansoperable cxteriorily of the tank for moving said plate into contactclosing position and for releasably securing it in such position, andmeans for moving the plate into contact opening position by a snapaction when it is released.

4. In a cnt-out of the character described, an oil tank, line contactswithin the tank, a fuse plate slidably mounted within the tank, a fuseand fuse contacts carried by the plate, the line contacts being disposedin the path of movement of the fuse contacts with the plate, meansoperable exteriorly of the tank for moving said plate into Contactclosing Vposition and for releasably securing it in such position, thefuse contacts beingrplaced CII under 'tension when closed and urging theplate in contact opening direction, and means for movingv said plateinto contact opening position by a snap action when it is released.

5. In a cut-out of the character described, an oil tank, a covertherefor, the tank being removably secured to the cover, cable lead-iiiY-tubes secured to the cover and depending therefrom into the tank, aframe supported uponthe tubes, a switch carried by the frame andincluding contacts disposed for connection to cables led through thetubes, and means controlled eXteriorly of the tank for closing andopening the switch.

6. In a cut-out of the character described, an oilv tank, a covertherefor, cable lead-in *tubes extendinginto the tank, line contacts Yinto and kout of'operative relation tothe line 'Y of the tank formovingy ing said member in plunger depressing posif contacts, and vmeanscontrolled exteriorly the fuse and its contacts intor and out of circuitclosing position.

8. In a cut-out of the character-described, a cover, a tank removablysecured to the cover and vdepending therefrom, Va switch within thetank,` a plunger operating through the cover, means cooperating Vwiththe plunger for closing the switchupon de `.pression of said plunger, aswitch closing member mounted on the cover and movable toward and awayfrom the plunger into vand out Vof contact therewith for closing andreleasing the switch, means acting to open the switch, means 4forreleas'ably holdtion, and means carried by the switch closing memberYpreventing removal of the tank when the switchl is closed.Vv Y

9. In a cut-out of the'characterrdescribed, a cover, a tank removablysecured to the cover and depending therefrom, a switch within the tank,a yswitch closing member mounted onV the upper side of theV cover andmovable toward andawayfrom the same,

v meansacting to open the switch, means coacting Ywith said memberVY forclosing `the Vswitch'and holding it closed under pressure when theswitch closing Vmemberis moved Y in one Vdirection into operativeposition, and means iel'easablyfsecuring said switch closing member inoperative'position.

l l0. In'acut-out of thecharacter described, a cover, a tank removablysecured tothe cover and depending therefrom, a switch within the tank, aswitch closing member mounted on the upper side of the cover and movabletoward and away from the saine, means acting` to open the switch, meansc' acting with said member for closing the switch and holding it closedunder pressure when the switch closing member is moved in one directioninto operative position, and means lon the cover releasably securingsaid switch closing member in operative position.

ll. In a cut-out of the character described, acover, a tank having aflange at its upper' end, set screws passing through the cover andthreading into the flange for removably securing the tank to the coverdepending therefroima switch within the tank, a switch closing membermounted on the outer face of the cover for movement toward and away fromthe same, means cooperating with said vmember for closing the switchwhen the member isdepressed, means releasably holding said memberdepressed, and stop elements carried by the switch closing member anddisposed closely adjacent` the heads of certain of said set screwspreventing removal thereof when said member is depressed, said elementsbeing disposed out of the path of said Vscrews when the switch Vclosingmember is raised into inoperative position.

12. In a cut-out ofthe characterdescribed, a cover, Va tank removably,secured to the cover and dependingV therefrom, pot-heads carried by thecover, insulating tubes secured in the pot-heads and dependingtherefrom, the upper ends of the tubes being within the pot-heads,sheathed cables eX-r tending through the pot-heads and the tubes, thesheathing of Vthe cables being `cut and shaped to extend over the upperends of the pot-heads, the connections between the cable sheaths and thepot-heads being sealed providing water tight closures, a switch sup-Vported from the tubes within the tank, connections between the cablesand the line contacts of the switch, andY switch operating meanscontrolled exteriorly of the ta-nk'.

1.3. In a cut-out of the character described, a cover, a tank" securedto the cover, pot-heads .carried bythe cover, insulating tubes securedin the pot-heads and depending therefrom, the upper ends of thetubesbeing within the pot-heads, sheathed cables' extending through thepot-headsy andthe tubes, the sheathing of the cables being cutand'shaped to extend over the upper ends of thefpot-heads, theconnections between the cable sheaths and the pot-heads being sealedproviding water vtight closures, ar switch within the tank, connectionsbetween theV cables and the line contacts of the switch,

and'switch operating means controlled exteriorly of the tank. y

itin aV cut-out of the character described, a main cover, a tankdepending from the cover and removably secured thereto, said main coverhaving an opening, a supplemental cover, a switch within the tank, meanscontrolling operation of the switch exteriorly of the tank, meanscooperating with said controlling means for preventing removal oit thetank when the switch is closed, and means for securing the supplementalcover to the main cover and preventing closing of the switch afterremoval of the supplemental cover until after said supplemental coverhas been again tightly secured in operative position.

15.1n a cut-out of the character described, a main cover, a tankdepending from the cover and removably secured thereto, said main coverhaving an opening, a

supplemental cover, a switch within the tank, means acting to open theswitch, a switch closing lever on the supplemental cover, meanscooperating with said lever for closing the switch when the lever isdepressed and releasing the switch when the lever is raised, meanscarried by the lever preventing removal of the tank when said lever isdepressed, and means for securing the supplemental cover to the maincover and for preventing closing of the switch until after thesupplemental cover is secured tightly in position.

16. In a cut-out of Vthe character described, a main cover, a tankdepending from and removably secured to said cover, the main coverhaving an opening, a supplemental cover for said opening and removablysecured to the main cover, a switch within the tank, means acting toopen the switch, a switch closing lever on the outer Jace of thesupplemental cover, means cooperating with said lever for closing theswitch when the lever is in operative position, means acting to open theswitch, means releasably securing the lever in operative position, andmeans preventing removal of either the tank or the supplement-al coverwhen Vthe switch is closed.

17. In a cut-out of the character described, a main cover', a tankdepending from and removably secured to said cover, the main coverhaving an opening, a supplemental cover for said opening and removablysecmed to the main cover, a switch within the tank, means forcontrolling the operation of the switch exteriorly of the tank, andmeans associated with said controlling means for preventing removal ofeither the tank or the supplemental cover when the switch is closed.

18. In a cut-out switch of the character described, a supporting andguide frame, a plate slidably mountedr in said Yframe, contact memberson the frame, a vfuse on the plate, contact members on the platedisposed to contact with the members on the frame when the plate ismoved in one direction, the plate contact members being connected to theterminals of the fuse, and means acting to Inove the plate in the otherdirection opening the switch.

19. In a cut-out switch ot the character described, a supporting andguide frame, a plate slidably mounted in said frame, contact members onthe frame, fuse clips on Athe plate, contact members connected to theclips and disposed for contact with the frame contact members uponmovement of the plate in one direction, a fuse mounted in said clips,and means acting to move the plate in the other direct-ion opening theswitch.

20. In a. cut-out switch of the character described, two membersconnected for relative sliding movement, cooperating contacts carried bysaid members and moved into and out of operative relation by relativemovement of the members toward and away from each other, a fuse carriedby one of said members and disposed in series with the contacts thereof,and means acting to cause relative movement of the members away fromeach other.

21. In a cut-out switch of the character described, two membersconnected for relative sliding movement, cooperating contacts carried bysaid members and moved into and out of operative relation by relativemovement of the members toward and away from each other, and meansacting to cause relative movement of said members away from each other.

22. In a cut-out switch of the character described including a plate anda fuse mounted thereon and having a blowout closure member at one end, aclosure member retaining structure mounted on the plate adjacent saidend of the fuse and in alignment therewith to receive and retain saidclosure member.

23. In a cut-out, a tank, a removable cover therefor, cable lead-intubes secured to the cover and depending therefrom into the tank, asupporting and guide frame secured to said tubes, line contacts mountedon the frame, a fuse plate slidably mounted in the frame, a fuse andcontacts connected to the terminals thereof, the fuse and its contactsbeing mounted on the fuse plate and the fuse contacts being movable intoand out o't` operative relation to the line contacts in accordance withmovement of the plate. and means for moving the fuse plate into circuitclosing position and circuit opening position.

In witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name this 15th day ofDecember. 1926.

NICHOLAS J. CONRAD.

